Tag Archives: kichijoji

We were blasted with a summer sun last week, but now it’s been rainy and gloomy everyday! What happened? I guess now it’s just nap weather, which is fine by me hehehe.

Introducing the last of the recent sports Rilakkuma additions: Archery Rilakkuma plush from the Kichijoji 6th Anniversary Series!

Archer Rilakkuma, ready for action!

Rilakkuma draws a colorful dango arrow! And one of my favorite details of this plush: all kyūdō archers traditionally hold the bow with their left hand, and draw with their right hand, and Rilakkuma maintains this technique, albeit with paws.

A lovely yellow bear on the back of the uniform, a motif consistent with the other bears of this series.

Tag art features a wonderful yellow and white target, with a bear symbol at the center.

Kyūdō (弓道) is the Japanese martial art of archery that began in Japan long before recorded history. Rilakkuma is depicted here wearing a standard kyūdō uniform, proudly representing his nation’s athleticism and culture. I love how the sports theme for this anniversary cycle incorporates a wide range of sports from Japanese history from traditional to modern!

As this is not Rilakkuma first time as an archer, I love the contrast between this traditional kyūdō design and the elegant Sagittarius design from the 2013 Zodiac Series! I appreciate that these concepts are so distinct in both general feel and details, and it is great having two talented Rilakkuma archers here!

Major gratitude to my Aunt Lulu for adding this precision Rilakkuma to my collection—thank you!

This summer, Rilakkuma is teaming up with the National Museum of Science in Tokyo for their special exhibition on deep sea life called Deep Sea 2017 (深海2017) which opens July 11!

Rilakkuma snuggles a giant squid! Kiiroitoi rides a suspiciously adorable anglerfish! And Korilakkuma… is riding a jellyfish? Any insight on what animal that is would be appreciated haha.

Wow, what an incredible collaboration! I adore the playful artwork and concept! I hope they make a Rilakkuma and giant squid plush hehehe.

The first live giant squid was photographed back in 2013, and in the 4 years since then, the world’s been fascinated with the mysteries of giant squid and its friends of the deep sea. This exhibition sounds like an absolute delight, and I love that Rilakkuma is part of it!

I absolutely love deep sea creatures! Have you seen Planet Earth? There is really some beautiful footage of deep sea life on their “Oceans Deep” episode!

Two of the current Rilakkuma collaboration cafes, auréole d’ange and Cafe Coconoha, will be introducing beautiful Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma shaved ice desserts starting June 20. Don’t they look tasty and refreshing for the summer?

My sister will be going to Japan next week, and hopefully will be able to share some photos and comments about her Rilakkuma adventures across Japan in a guest post series! Stay tuned!

What Rilakkuma food would you most like to see?

I’ve seen these cafes accomplish beautiful burgers and dainty waffles, but I’d really love to see a Rilakkuma ramen shop! Maybe with a ton of bear-shaped carrots and seaweed and Rilakkuma-molded tofu blocks, like the Nabe Rilakkuma plush playset. What about you?

Great details on Rilakkuma: dango in hand and in holster, with a shiny gold star and bear belt buckle detail. Rilakkuma also has a bright red bandana around his neck.

Sharp shootin’ Korilakkuma wrangled a snake! She also sports a pink bandana.

Kiiroitori has a leather lasso that he holds on his left and throws with his right! His bandana is turquoise blue.

Each plush has a hat with a gold bear motif around a brown belt.

And of course, their design motif is hiding around here somewhere: it’s a cactus on their tails!

Tag art: the cactus motif continues on their tags, where each cactus is outlined with a different color representing each different character: yellow for Rilakkuma, pink for Korilakkuma, and blue for Kiiroitori.

Wow, it’s a collaboration plush set with Shirokuma from Sumikko Gurashi! 3500円.

Caravan exclusive design features Rilakkuma eating some dango – does he have a toothache? 1700円.

The Rilakkuma Store Exclusive designs have Rilakkuma and friends in gowns with dango details! 2200円 each.

A tidy bento box playset with the whole team! 5000円.

In Japanese tradition, these teahouses (茶屋) are free-standing structures built exclusively for tea ceremonies. They have a deep architectural history stemming from the start of the Edo period, and there are many famous teahouses across Japan. I think this a great part of Japanese history and culture, and I love that it is incorporated into this summer’s Rilakkuma designs!

Lots of great items! I will be trying my hand at getting the bento box, to match my Oden and Osechi set! I like the dango-shaped Rilakkuma plush, too. What about you? Anything catching your eye?

Finally, have you checked out Canon Asia’s collaboration with Rilakkuma?

Gosh, isn’t that the most adorable promotional video? Canon Asian has a great contest on Instagram right now for Asian Rilakkuma and photography fans – you can win a Canon EOS M10 kit and a limited edition Canon EOS M10 Rilakkuma plush just by posting your Rilakkuma photos based on their challenge themes – “food” and “chillout” are the themes going on right now!

I think this has motivated a lot of folks to take some very creative Rilakkuma pictures! I have really enjoyed seeing everyone’s Rilakkuma photos recently on Instagram, and it’s inspired me to take more time again taking Rilakkuma photos like I used to!

Stay cool, and have a wonderful summer!

I’ll be having cocktails by the pool – red, white, and blue themed for Independence Day!

The lemon here is super soft (and comically flat), and his shorts feature a few lovely lemon blossoms!

A fluffy yellow lemon cap with a cute leaf detail!

And some dainty gossamer wings for the lemon bee Rilakkuma!

Some lovely lemon-shaped tags! I think the art for these is excellent!

And since I placed my order through the San-X Net Shop, I was surprised by this amazing blue Rilakkuma tote bag that they included with my purchase – yay!

Eeeeee they are so cute together!! Their look is so fresh and I love the amount of detail in their outfits! I think both of their designs are an especially creative take on the lemon theme, and I am so happy that these two have joined Bear Country!

And look who came just in time to join the 2 other lemon Rilakkumas featured today! It’s Lemon Series Rilakkuma – Caravan Edition! Oooh and a cute mini Rilakkuma and mold set to make my own Rilakkuma rice meals :)

Wow! I’m so excited to see these bears!! They are still in the Philippines, but I will post detail photos when I see them in person!

Wow! Super cute, and “American West” themed! As a xerophyte fan, I was hoping San-X would integrate cacti into one of the designs bahahaha, but I’m happy with the little cartoon cacti in the illustration lol.

Like the Sapporo and Umeda Stores, Kichijoji’s anniversary event is part of the Rilakkuma World Tour, where each Rilakkuma Store in Japan represents a special part of the world during their anniversary – great!! I’m so jealous of anyone who is able to make it out to this anniversary event on October 10 – they will also have a cowboy Rilakkuma mascot too!!

I think as an American, I’m obligated to get these haha, so I think I’ll go for the Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma hehe.

It’s funny how the cowboy wild west imagery has persisted for so long – I remember when I was in the Philippines for July 4 one year, we went to a buffet that was US Independence Day themed for the night, and all the waitstaff were wearing cowboy hats and boots! Though I think the connection between cowboys and Independence Day is kind of a reach hahaha, it was actually a really lovely meal that featured chili con carne and apple pie lmao so it was really fun and oddly comforting to see what things represented the US abroad.

How do y’all feel when you see your home country represented when you travel abroad?

Anyways, in real life news, I’m still working my butt off in internal medicine, but I get a lot of independence and responsibility now, so I’m really starting to feel like a doctor! I’ve got 3 more weeks of internal medicine inpatient work, then I’m off to do outpatient work! Just when I get settled doing one thing, I always have to switch gears haha, but I suppose that’s how 3rd year medical school goes. Until next time, take care!

Special thank you to Trinie for the Space Series bag that is the beautiful backdrop for today’s photoshoot!! These shopping bags are so meaningful to me because as a Rilakkuma fan who depends on online ordering, I rarely get the special edition bags for every series! Especially as a fan who loves the illustrations, I am so appreciative – thanks a ton, Trinie!!

Speaking of the Space Series, next up is Space Series Rilakkuma!

Greetings from outer space!

His space suit has a similar color scheme and belt as the Space Series Store Exclusive Rilakkuma, but with different designs: this suit features a different Rilakkuma logo as well as a dango with its planetary rings!

Rilakkuma’s space suit is completely attached to his body so no signs of the back zipper typical of Rilakkuma, but there is somewhat of a replication of his back zipper on his helmet!

Amazingly cute embroidery in the back, with a little planet as the dot in the “i”! I also love the three stars embroidered throughout the suit and helmet, which represent the 3 colors of the Rilakkuma team’s suits (yellow for Rilakkuma, pink for Korilakkuma, and blue for Kiiroitori).

His helmet is removable by the back zipper, and can be transferred to any other standard collectible sized bear so they can play astronaut, too! Though the helmet is not the easiest to get on and off due to Rilakkuma’s ears haha

Since I went a little nuts this summer on Rilakkuma, I decided to restrain myself and only get the brown bear from this set. I think Bear Nation has a pretty thriving space program between this astronaut, JAXA Rilakkuma, planet Rilakkuma, and the 3 space explorers (Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma, Kiiroitori, and Kumartians) haha.

Kiiroitori turned into a swan paddle boat! Like the Egg Series, Kiiroitori transforms into another bird species haha. Miniplushies 1,500円 each.

These plushies look really cute and clever hehe, I always love when the designs deviate a little from standard – sitting on things, different facial expressions, etc. The different color theme swan boats (yellow for Rilakkuma, blue for Kiiroitori, and pink for Korilakkuma) is a great touch! I really like how Korilakkuma got her own swan boat crown too haha. These plushies will be available on October 11!

As always, I do love how culturally relevant these anniversary plushies are! Swan paddle boats are a popular attraction at Inokashira Park (井の頭恩賜公園) in Kichijoji.

One day, I hope to visit every Rilakkuma Store, but I especially want to visit Kichijoji because the Ghibli Museum is also in Inokashira Park! Do you like Studio Ghibli films? My favorite is Spirited Away! Though really, I haven’t met a Studio Ghibli film I didn’t like!

Cats love Rilakkuma, too! This photo was taken by Jemolian’s Store, who sold Rilakkuma merchandise at the event!

According to the event page, Bon Japan holds this themed Rilakkuma cafe event every year, and this year, the event was held on August 30 at the Cat Cafe to celebrate the upcoming Cats Series! Hahaha what a clever collaboration!

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I try as much as I can to source all the images on the blog that aren’t my own (mainly San-X promotional materials) – clicking on any image will take you to its source. I do not hotlink. If you click on photos I took myself, you will simply be taken to a page with the image alone.

Rilakkuma & friends (and products) are all property of San-X; I just like to take pictures of my plushies and talk about Rilakkuma things.